Title: District-level GHG-inventory-based low-carbon policy analysis methods and the application to China

Project duration: 2014, 2015, 2016

Abstract

Since the increase of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere has been scientifically proven a threat to the global ecosystem, many countries and international organizations are viewing it as one of their most urgent task to reduce GHG emissions. According to International Energy Agency (IEA) statistics, China's GHG emission in 2009 was 24% of the world's total, exceeding the United States (18%) for three consecutive years. The figure is projected to increase even higher with the fast growing economy and improving living standards. In contrast, while the GDP of Japan is almost the same as that of China, GHG emission in 2009 was only 4% of the world's total. Therefore, it is highly desirable that China follows Japan's example.

Meanwhile, China's government has also started to take action and declared in 2009 to reduce carbon dioxide emissions per GDP by 40 to 45 percent by 2020 compared to 2005. Furthermore, in the national plan announced in 2010, "green growth" and "low-carbon development" have been raised as the top priority. At present, with rapid industrialization and lifestyle change, China is placing great efforts on planning low-carbon eco-cities. Many Chinese researchers and policy-makers are learning international practices and seeking ways for China to reach the goals.

Joining the international group that discusses low-carbon city planning and working closely with the leading group of Chinese scholars and policy-makers, This research will firstly summarize and introduce the environmental policy of Japan. The framework of GHG reduction policies and the relevant approaches of policy-making process, evaluation methods and monitoring procedures will also be included. Secondly, this research will work particularly on the methodology of creating GHG inventories at the district level, which is the issue that has not been fully studied both in the academic world and the administrative world despite its vital importance in emission reduction plan-making and policy evaluation. Japan's methods will be introduced to China and hopefully it will help them to stipulate GHG inventory estimation and policy evaluation guidelines for cities. Finally, suggustions for improving Japan's current methods through publishing papers in related journals.

Any of you, inside APU or outside would like to join the research group, please contact Prof. Li at ---->> yanli@apu.ac.jp

( By Prof. LI, Y. )